CONOR BENN RETURNS: BRIT’S COMEBACK CONFIRMED FOR THIS SATURDAY AGAINST RODOLFO OROZCO

Over a year since his last fight, the British fighter (21-0, 14 KOs) will officially resume his career when he faces Mexican Super-Welterweight Rodolfo ‘Sinaloita’ Orozco (32-3-3, 24 KOs) at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida as the co-main event on Saturday, September 23. 
 
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Orozco is a seasoned campaigner despite his youthful age of 24, having made his professional debut at just 16. Standing at 6ft 1in, hard-hitting Orozco has 24 knockouts on his resumé and won his last two fights with successive stoppages including a fourth-round victory in Mexico City in June over compatriot, Eilan Treja Juarez.

But in Benn, Orozco faces a significant step-up with the Brit determined to put on an impressive performance to make up for lost time.

Benn was provisionally suspended back in April, effective as of March 15, when his fight with Chris Eubank Jr last October was postponed.

’The Destroyer’, however, was subsequently cleared in July by UKAD and the WBC, and his provisional suspension was lifted after an independent National Anti-Doping Panel review. 

Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn said: “Conor Benn is back and I’m looking forward to seeing him pick up where he left off. He’s ready to go straight in for a big fight now but his trainer Tony Sims will be pleased to get him back sooner against a game opponent in Rodolfo Orozco. Conor is looking unbelievable in the gym and I cannot wait to see him back in the ring where he belongs on what is a fantastic fight card in Florida.”

Conor Benn said: “I am undefeated in the ring, and in spirit. A return on Saturday is a step closer to redemption. After that,  I’m putting the 147-160 divisions on notice. You are looking at a determined man with a deep desire to beat them all.”

Rodolfo Orozco said: “I want to thank Matchroom and BXSTRS for this opportunity. This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for. This isn’t short notice for me because I’ve been preparing for this moment my entire life. You’ve made a mistake Conor, and I’ll show you that this Saturday.”

In Saturday’s main event, Brooklyn’s unbeaten Super-Lightweight sensation Richardson Hitchins (16-0, 7 KOs) and former World title challenger Jose Zepeda (37-3-0, 28 KOs) collide for the WBC Silver, WBO NABO and IBF North American Super-Lightweight titles.

Benn’s fellow Brit, Sandy Ryan (6-1-0, 2 KOs) will bid to become the unified World Welterweight champion when she meets Chicago’s Jessica McCaskill (12-3 5 KOs)for the WBO, WBC, WBA, IBO and Ring Magazine belts.

Elsewhere, Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams (14-0, 10 KOs) and Steve Rolls (22-2-0, 12 KOs) go head-to-head with the WBA International and IBF North American Middleweight hardware on the line. 

Khalil ‘Big Steppa’ Coe (6-0-1, 4 KOs) fights fellow American Light-Heavyweight Kenmon Evans (10-1-1, 3 KOs) and the undefeated Cuban Super-Lightweight Orestes Velazquez (7-0, 6 KOs) squares off with Canada’s Mohamed ‘The Black Buffalo’ Soumaoro (13-1-0, 6 KOs).

Super-Welterweight Jeovanny Estella (12-0 3 KOs) and Super-Flyweight Jasmine Artega (10-0-1 5 KOs) tasting action over eight rounds while Bantamweight Roberto Rivera Gomez (3-0 2 KOs) kicks the whole night off over four rounds, with all three fighters to be matched imminently.